Reading FC summer transfers 2017

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14:04Jonathan Low

Finish

That’s it for today’s webchat, thanks for taking part.

Recap it all by scrolling through the updates below.

See you again soon!

14:04Jonathan Low

Mood around the camp

Esteban asks: “What was the mood around training like? Any hint of a post play-off defeat hangover?”

Very good actually, the short break might have been good actually as it means there was not a lot of time to think about it.

The players and manager were in good spirits, but the proof will be how they start the season!

14:01Jonathan Low

Holland

Sledge asks: “What’s the plan for the Holland tour?”

10 days, two games on two days.

getreading will be out there covering the tour though so stay tuned!

14:00Jonathan Low

Al-Habsi fee

Pat Royal asks: “Do we get any money for AL Habsi seeing that he signed a new contract?”

Yes there would be a fee.

Reports suggest around £600,000.

13:56Jonathan Low

Darlow

Joseph asks: “You say Karl Darlow is a realistic target for Reading at 5mil? But reckon the overall transfer budget is of the same amount?”

I said he was a target - but not £5m. That is what is being reported in the papers.

Cannot see Reading spending that but you never know.

It may equate to £5m overall with add-ons etc but won’t be an upfront fee.

Not sure on the total transfer budget, but it’s not a great deal from the sounds of it.

13:53Jonathan Low

Pre-season games

_One8Seven1_ says: “I think it’s disgraceful how the club with less than 2 weeks notice have said all pre season fixtures on the Holland tour will be played behind closed doors”

It’s a shame there’s not more access for fans, I agree.

I’m assuming they have to respect the wishes of the Dutch authorities so not much they can do about it.

getreading will be out in Holland though to cover the games so make sure you follow us for all the updates!

13:48Jonathan Low

East Stand

Rory asks: “Are the east stand ever going to get their prize for winning stand and deliver?”

You’ll have to contact the club about that.

I hope so!

13:47Jonathan Low

Danny Williams

Jon: “Do you think Danny Williams will be a success for Huddersfield?”

Don’t see why not, if he can keep up his level of performance from the second half of last season.

I’m sure he will do a decent job.

It’s a step up, but one I reckon he can cope with. Will be interesting to see how he gets on.

13:45Jonathan Low

Academy players

Derby Royal asks: “With a number of Academy players recently leaving for first team football elsewhere or being released, are there any current Academy players that ,you know of, can seen coming into the first team squad and playing a pivotal part in next season’s championship campaign?”

There are a few training with Royals’ first-team squad currently.

Whether any of them will have a similar impact to Kelly remains to be seen.

Barrett, Rinomhota, Loader among those training so keep an eye on them!

No one was saying Kelly this time last year so we’ll have to see.

13:40Jonathan Low

Stam interest

Jack asks: “Stam openly admitted clubs paid an interest in him. Any idea on those clubs?”

Heard Ajax and Leeds were keen on him. Possibly Southampton too.

13:38Jonathan Low

Priority signing

Tom A asks: “What do you think our priority signing should be now? A striker is a must and now a keeper unless Jaakkola can step up to the plate? Also a replacement for Williams?? Thoughts?”

A striker is probably the priority but doesn’t every club say that?!

Club is quite well stocked for midfielders so that’s probably ok, but obviously a keeper is required when Al-Habsi leaves.

13:34Jonathan Low

Chris Gunter

John says: “What a loyal player Chris Gunter has shown himself to be. Another team comes sniffing and he wants to stay.”

Yes, agree. As we reported, he was offered more money at Boro but decided to remain loyal to Reading.

He loves it here and has enjoyed his time to date so there was no reason to move on from a footballing perspective.

13:32Jonathan Low

New kit

JonnoRFC asks: “Another teaser for the new kit launch just been tweeted, Ady in the video says it’ll be a couple of weeks? Space last season! what could it be this time round?!?”

You tell me!

I’ve been told it will be revealed mid to late July but no official date confirmed yet.

Sounds exciting though!

13:30Jonathan Low

Stam signing on

Shane asks: “Do you feel now Stam is signed, 1. His transfer budget was a deciding factor? 2. We will now move fast in the market? Really quiet so far other than Pelle which includes rumours. I know we’ve always done business quietly but seems even more so this year.”

Transfer budget was important I’m sure but not the be all and end all.

Stam has talked about being part of a progressive club which he believes Reading is, not just on but off the field.

Transfer business always tends to be quiet and slow, but I’m sure work is being done behind the scenes to get a few more players in.

13:24Jonathan Low

Al-Habsi

Dave asks: “When is Al-Habsi leaving ...also is it true we getting Darlow?”

Not sure on time scale, but expecting it to be soon. He was in training this week but imagine if he is going, Reading will want to get him out to allow another one to come in and replace him.

Interest in Darlow, but he’s one of a number of options being looked at.

13:23Jonathan Low

Other exits

Gary C asks: “Can you see anymore first team players heading for the exit after Al Habsi?”

Hopefully not!

Meite and Wieser will go, although appreciate they are not first team.

Along with a few other youngsters, but not expecting many more first teamers to depart.

13:19Jonathan Low

Keeper options

Gary C asks: “Do you think Darlow is a realistic target for Reading or do you think our younger keepers could step up?”

Yes he is a realistic target.

The younger keepers are not ready yet unfortunately. A few seasons in the lower leagues are probably what they need.

Imagine Jaakkola will still be no.2 and there will be a new no.1 when Al-Habsi leaves.

13:16Jonathan Low

New owners

Rory asks: “Can you please try to get a chat with the owners to get more of an idea on spending. I’m guessing they should provide maybe 5-10 million given that Stam has decided to stay on and financial backing must have played a part.”

Have been asking for a chat with the owners ever since they took over.

Hopefully before the start of the season.

More towards £5m but that’s in terms of team budget, don’t forget they are investing in training ground, stadium, etc.

13:13Jonathan Low

Pre-season

Deano asks: “Let the summer finish now Jonathan we’ve signed up the main man and the biggest transfer of the window. Jaap Stam - great work from the new owners, perfect combination? Any murmurs or transfers likely to happen before the Holland tour?”

I agree the main man has been signed up but the squad is a little thin right now, need a few players at least.

There’s a good core, but once injuries and suspensions hit, there is not a great deal to rely on.

Stam said he hoped for a couple more before Holland, so hopefully that’s the case.

13:09Jonathan Low

Karl Darlow

Will asks: “Do you think Darlow will be a good addition?”

Don’t know too much about him but he’s a good prospect from what I hear.

Plenty of experience with Forest and Newcastle and at 26, still plenty of years ahead of him.

He is being considered so with Al-Habsi departure imminent, a new goalkeeper is likely to be coming in pretty sharpish.

13:07Jonathan Low

Yakou Meite

Ed asks: “Meite to leave on loan?”

Yes, he will be going out on loan.

Not sure where exactly, he was linked with Sochaux this week.

He needs more first-team games before he’s anywhere near the Reading first team, according to Stam.

13:06Jonathan Low

Training ground

Andy asks: “Any news on the training ground. has work restarted?”

No sign of any recent work down there but I believe work is due to start soon.

Not yet spoken to the owners so when I do, that’s certainly on the list!

13:04Jonathan Low

Transfers

Stu asks: “Any news on possible targets? Are you expecting more business to be done before the Holland trip?”

Expecting a couple of players to come in before next Wednesday when they leave for Holland.

Stam says he wants a few players in asap so hopefully there will be a few new faces in the next week or so.

13:03Jonathan Low

Stam staying

Tom asks: “Do you think that Jaap Stam re-signing means that he has been promised a whole load of money to spend this year?”

Unfortunately not, no.

There is a budget for players, but from what I hear it’s pretty modest so don’t be expecting Reading to splash the cash in the next couple of months.

Obviously there is something - otherwise he would not have signed - but it’s not a great deal to spend.

12:43Jonathan Low

Good afternoon

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